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Zentrum Geschichte des Wissens

Universitaet Zuerich

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich

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Zentrum Geschichte des Wissens

Universitaet Zuerich

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich

PROF. DR. SHAUL KATZIR (Tel Aviv)

Simultaneous Inventions and the Process of Innovation

Through a few particular historical examples, I will argue, that the concept of simultaneous or parallel inventions provides a powerful tool for understanding the process of technical innovation on its social, technical and scientific contexts. In particular it helps identifying technical - scientific resources and social - economic needs and wishes central in the process of invention. Yet, a closer view shows that the aims and the resources of different inventors were not always identical, although one can find connections among them.